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The illustrated care library

Good care.
Close at hand.

Simple checklists to keep beside the full guide. Print a page, save it for later, and adapt it to your animal.

Sources checked 10 November 2026

Illustrated cat settling room with a hide, low perch, scratcher, separate food and water, and two litter trays in different places.Illustrated example

A printable care card

Before your cat arrives

Prepare a quiet base, agree on daily care, and let your cat choose the pace.

  • Check doors, windows and screens.
  • Prepare a quiet hide and a reachable resting place.
  • Separate food, water and toileting areas.
  • Provide two accessible litter trays in different locations.
  • Ask about familiar food, litter, care and medicines.
  • Save veterinary contacts and agree household boundaries.

A cat straining with little or no urine needs an emergency vet. A cat who stops eating needs prompt veterinary advice.

Download PDF ↓Read the full guide →

Sources: RSPCA Australia · Feline veterinary guidance

Illustrated scenes of one dog resting on a bed, beside fresh water, and sniffing in an enclosed garden with a closed gate.Illustrated example

A printable care card

Your dog’s daily care plan

Build a flexible rhythm around this dog’s health, comfort and individual needs.

  • Agree who handles meals, toileting, activity and rest.
  • Keep meals familiar and fresh water available.
  • Offer frequent toilet opportunities and reward success.
  • Protect undisturbed rest and a voluntary retreat.
  • Record appetite, drinking, toileting and changes.
  • Adjust difficult interactions and ask for help early.

This is a planning aid, not a fixed settling timetable. Discuss new health or behaviour concerns with your vet.

Download PDF ↓Read the full guide →

Sources: RSPCA WA · Dogs Trust

Illustration of pets beside secured cleaning-product storage, a closed medicine box, a lidded bin and a latched food cupboard.Illustrated example

A printable care card

Household hazard check

Check what your animal can reach, including bags, benches, gardens and rubbish.

  • Secure medicines, chemicals, baits and rubbish.
  • Check accessible bags, food and dropped tablets.
  • Identify plants; exclude true lilies and daylilies from cat homes.
  • Read species and separation instructions on pet treatments.
  • Keep product packaging available for professional advice.
  • Save your usual vet, emergency vet and poison-service contacts.

Suspected poisoning: call your vet promptly. After ingestion, do not induce vomiting or give food, drink or home remedies unless directed.

Download PDF ↓Read the full guide →

Sources: Animal Poisons Helpline · UC Davis Veterinary Medicine

Use these with the full guidance.

A checklist cannot assess an individual animal or replace veterinary advice. Read the linked guide for context, source details and when to seek help.

How to use our guides →

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